KUCHING: Business entities and corporations are encouraged to do their part in giving back to the community during this difficult time due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Law, State-Federal Relations and Project Monitoring) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali made the call on Sunday (June 27).
She lauded the Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers’ Association (Sheda) Kuching branch’s ‘Sharing is Caring’ free packed lunch programme for the less fortunate.
The programme was initially scheduled for June 18 to 24 but has been extended until June 28 following the extension of the movement control order (MCO).
Hasidah hoped other business entities, corporations, and even non-government organisations (NGOs) could embark on similar initiatives to help ease the burden faced by the community.
“A total of 170 packets of cooked food were distributed to the community around Jalan Astana area. This initiative was a collaboration between Sheda Kuching branch and its members with Mom’s Laksa.
“I feel very proud and thankful because an initiative like this by successful businesses as well as corporate bodies is indeed welcomed. It complements the state government’s efforts in providing assistance to the people during this difficult time.
“For instance, we recently distributed food baskets to approximately 5,000 households in my constituency under the recent Sarawakku Sayang Special Aid package (BKSS),” she added during the distribution of the food packets at Mom’s Laksa Jalan Astana branch here on Sunday.
Hasidah (third left) hands out the packed food to members of the public at the Mom’s Laksa Jalan Astana outlet. Also seen from left are Sim, Mastika and Kueh (fourth left). Photo: Ramidi Subari 
The Semariang assemblywoman pointed out that the efforts taken by state government to ensure that Sarawak achieve a herd immunity were commendable.
“The state government has channelled various forms of assistance to help the people. Contributions from other parties show that our fellow Sarawakians are also concerned and care for one another.
“While we may not know when exactly this pandemic will end, we are fortunate that our vaccination programme is progressing very smoothly. This will enable us to achieve the targeted 80 percent herd immunity by August,” she added.
Also present during the simple distribution of packed food for members of the public were Sheda Kuching branch chairman Datuk Sim Kiang Chiok, Sheda secretary general Angie Kueh and Mom’s Laksa owner Mastika Jamil.
